Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony PS-LX300USB USB Stereo Turntable System - Black

The reason that I'm writing this review is because this product is new and I could not find a single review on this turntable before I purchased it. I had been shopping for a turntable for quite awhile, reading reviews and product specs until I finally decided on the PS-LX300USB mostly for its appearance, price, USB capabilities and the Sony name. I've had this turntable for two weeks now and so far I am very pleased with its performance.

Here's what I like about this turntable:
Great sound that surpasses a number of CD recordings of the same music; USB connection that easily allows conversion of analog music to digital files; Even the MP3s that I made sound better than some of the CD versions of the same music; It is black and blends in well with my other stereo equipment and doesn't look like a bloated silver flying saucer (like some other USB turntables); Easy to operate; Price is great; Software works very good once you figure out how it operates.

As for my opinion of its shortcomings:
The plastic construction has a light cheap look. The software instructions in the manual will lead you to select a "record" option that will prevent you from hearing the audio as you record it. This was a little annoying until I found the "Vinyl Recording" feature under one of the drop down menus at the top of the screen.

Conclusion:
If you simply want to enjoy the great sound of vinyl, and if you want to easily make your own mp3s, and if you don't feel the need to brag about spending $300 + on a turntable and $80 on RCA cables like the audiophiles would have you think is necessary, then this might be the turntable for you. I recommend this turntable and I've been listening to vinyl records for over fifty years.

Additional Note: You can select a variety of digital formats to record to including those that are not compressed.

I would have given this 5 stars with a little better instructions on set up. It assumes a knowledge of stereo components that I don't have. But as it is I've fumbled along by trial and error and I'm getting incredible results.

My LP collection has been in the basement for the last 23 years. Frankly I assumed those records were ruined. I never had good stereo equipment or fresh needles, and I never treated them with more than casual care. However, I dragged them up to make a list of what MP3 tracks I'd like to buy and to my amazement I found that I had huge collections with songs that have never been digitalized. I also found that some of these old LPs are only available at astronomical prices. So I decided to try digitalizing my old LPs using the Sony PS-LX300 USB.

Before playing my first record, I spent a day on-line looking at the options for cleaning vinyl records. Spending hundreds of dollars on a disc cleaning system for records that I assumed were about ruined was out of the question. I settled for the RCA Discwasher for $14.95, even though reviews claimed it was vastly inferior to the old product (which sells at auction for well over $50.00). I also looked at the DIY options of washing vinyl records, but what I read indicated that drying was as important as getting a cleaner into the grooves and the RCA Discwasher brush was supposed to serve this function of both cleaning and drying.

I hooked the Sony turntable up to my Dell Laptop so I could keep working on my desktop computer while recording. The Sony turntable comes with a USB connection and also RCA cables (which are very short). The turntable comes with a switch to choose either Line or Phono. I presume from the combo offered above that you could also attach the RCA cables to speakers purchased separately to listen while recording through the USB option. I have a DAK Mixer Interface (which I never figured out) so I hooked the RCA cables into that and tried plugging their stereo mini plug into my laptop input line, but my first pass did not produce sound on the final recording -- no doubt I had to change some settings on my input line. So instead I just plugged headphones into the DAK mixer to listen while recording using the USB option.

For USB recording, I had to go into my control panel and change my Sound|Recording options, but that those steps were well spelled out on page 11 of the Sony turntable manual. I'm sure with more fiddling around I can figure out how to get sound through my laptop while recording, but it's working just fine for me with headphones.

Then I thoroughly cleaned my first LP -- an old favorite I purchsed in 1961 and played to death over the next 20 years. I cleaned it a total of three separate times, assuming it was very dirty, following the directions carefully. As I pushed the start button on the Sony, I was amazed at the quality of sound coming through the headphones. I expected to hear mostly hisses and pops with a little music thrown in. I couldn't believe the quality of that old LP after cleaning. There was some cracking but mainly it was noticeable between tracks.

I used the default settings on the SoundForce Audio Studio for "Vinyl Recording and Restoration" and these pops and crackles were almost eliminated in the final product.

Right now my recordings are coming through as one track (which they mention can happen with some old LPs) but the software has a good help section which includes how to go back and separate the tracks. I'll be working through that later this morning. But right now I have my first two records digitilized with a sound quality I never believed possible. I am thrilled beyond belief and looking forward to listening to hours more of my old treasures as I compile them into a digitilized collection.

As a final note, I always scoffed at those who said that records had a warmth that is missing from CDs. I figured that only audio snobs with expensive equipment could tell a difference since I was quite pleased with my CDs and iPod music. But as I listen to my old LPs I am aware of exactly what they mean. There is an intimacy and depth of sound that is missing from CDs. Amazing to think that such an old technology can hold up so well, even on ill-used records that are over 45 years old.

I haven't had any problems with the turntable, it's being very kind to my old albums. I'm pretty impressed with the quality and am glad I chose the Sony over several other brands I researched. I would definitely recommend this one.
Like several other reviewers I've had a not so fun time trying to figure out the software. I do have sound through my computer. To make a long story short, here's what I ended up with for my settings: click "Tools" then "vinyl recording and restoration", be sure "monitor recording level" is checked. My Device Properties on the Audio tab is: Sound Playback: Realtek HD Audio Output
Sound Recording: USB Audio CODEC
MIDI Music Playback: Miscrosoft GS Wavetable SW Synth
I can listen to an album even if I don't want to record it by opening up the vinyl recording and restoration window and just letting it run in the background.
Hope this helps.

I received this from my wife as a Christmas present yesterday so I cannot vouch for its reliability. I can, however, describe how to get past the sound through the PC problem.

As someone previously described the process I will use their process except change the order because that is important:

Under Control Panel (Windows XP) and Sounds and Audio Device Properties:

Sound Playback: [enter your default sound card as Audio Output] Note that the installation software for Audio Studio LE changed this so that when you plug in the USB cable it will default to USB Audio CODEC. This is WHY your PC sound quits working.

Make sure Sound Recording is set to: USB Audio CODEC

MIDI Music Playback: Miscrosoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [I don't think this one makes any difference but it is where mine is at and it is working]

On Audio Studio LE; Click "Tools" then "vinyl recording and restoration" AND be sure "monitor recording level" is checked.

Make sure that the Sound and Audio Device properties are done BEFORE you call up the Sony software because it seems to NOT recognize changes in Windows once you have activated it.

I only gave this a 3 rating because the instructions are so poorly written. Those of you who have a working turntable and a sound card with a line in input do not need this device. All you need is a set of patch cords that will go to the line in from your stereo. (Note that you can NOT run it directly from the turntable to the line in because you need a higher voltage input (at least a pre-amp level). You also need a program that has "line in" as an option for recording. Windows Media Player does not have this option.

Update May: On reliability so far not a single problem.

This is a great product for its price. It works equally well with both
PCs and Macs, i.e. once you download Audacity for the Mac. The Audacity
software allows audio play-thru without using the RCA connections,
thus only the USB connection is required. Sony should provide Mac
compatibility by including Audacity or indicating Mac compatibility
by its use via a free Audacity download.

Other than a couple of minor changes, i.e. RCA jacks in the rear versus
a hardwired cable and an arm clip to hold the cartridge securely, the
unit is well designed. The provided software works well on the PC,
but the Audacity software is preferred. The unit is very easy to setup,
taking only minutes. The controls, start, stop and arm up/down, make
for a simple/easy operation.